ATV mounted gun case

ABSTRACT

A gun case for transporting and storing a gun with forward and rear portions. The gun case includes a forward housing with rigid side walls that form a cavity configured to receive the forward portion of the gun. The gun case also includes a rear housing with rigid side walls that form a cavity configured to receive the rear portion of the gun. The rear housing is pivotally coupled to the forward housing for movement between an open position providing access to the cavities and a closed position capable of securing the gun within the gun case.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to cases of rigid construction, and more particularly to cases designed to store and transport a gun.

Background of the Invention

[0002] The fundamental purpose of gun cases is to protect guns from physical damage during transport and storage. Gun cases of soft construction may be considered for light-duty uses, like storage, while gun cases of rigid construction may be considered for more heavy-duty uses. The rigidly constructed gun cases are typically desired for vehicle mounting applications associated with outdoor hunting. An all-terrain vehicle, or ATV, is commonly used by outdoor hunters for transportation during a hunt.

[0003] The rigid gun case is held by a mounting bracket attached to the ATV to hold the gun case during transport. Most ATV bracket designs are configured to be mounted on the front or rear of the ATV, and can be mounted at different angles and configurations.

[0004] By nature of its intended use, the ATV transports the outdoor hunter through harsh environments. The outdoor hunter may encounter many obstacles during travel such as bumpy paths, rocks, tree limbs, fallen debris, streams, hills, or valleys. Since the gun case is mounted to the ATV, it is also exposed to the shocks and impacts imparted by the outside environment. During transport, it is desirable for the gun case to remain closed to secure the gun within the case until needed by the hunter.

[0005] The rigid gun cases disclosed in the prior art are problematic in that they are prone to inadvertent opening, therefore allowing the gun to fall out of its case. This occurs most often during transport, when the case experiences the most shock and impact from the outside environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is the general object of this invention to provide a gun case that addresses the problems associated with prior art. One embodiment of the invention is a gun case having a rigid construction separated into two pivotally coupled housings. A forward housing, or main housing, has a forward cavity to receive a forward portion of a gun. A rear housing, or end cap, has a rear cavity to receive a rear portion of the gun. The rear housing is coupled to the forward housing through a pivotal interconnection structure for movement between an open position to allow easy access to the rear portion of the gun and a closed position capable of securing the gun in the gun case. The pivotal interconnection structure may permit relative rotation and translation of the rear housing relative to the forward housing between the open and closed positions.

[0007] The forward housing may include a connecting portion that inserts into the rear housing when the two housings are closed. The connecting portion includes indented walls and an integral tab with a slot. A pin coupling the rear housing with the slot allows translation and rotation of the rear housing relative to the forward housing. When opening the gun case from the closed position, the pin and slot arrangement allows the rear housing to translate and disengage from the connecting portion of the forward housing. The pin and slot arrangement then allows the rear housing to rotate and expose the rear portion of the gun.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be noted that the invention as disclosed in the accompanying drawings is illustrated by way of example only. The various elements and combinations of elements described below and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged and organized differently to result in embodiments which are still within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 1 is a side view of a gun case embodying the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the gun case shown in FIG. 1.

[0011]FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-section view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

[0012] FIGS. 4-6 are partial side views of the gun case shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the gun case transitioning from an open position to a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013]FIG. 1 illustrates a rigid-wall gun case 10 having an integrally-formed handle 20 on its top, a series of integrally-formed tabs 22 incorporating slots 24 for connection with a carrying strap (not shown), and a pair of integrally formed feet 26 located on its bottom to stabilize the gun case 10 while the gun case 10 is resting on a generally flat surface. The handle 20 is positioned along the length of the gun case 10 to coincide with the approximate location of the center of gravity of the combination of a gun 27 (FIG. 2) and the gun case 10.

[0014] With further reference to FIG. 2, the gun case 10 comprises a forward housing 28 and a rear housing 30 pivotally coupled to the forward housing 28 for movement between open and closed positions. The two housings 28, 30 are separable from each other along a diagonal plane 31 (FIG. 1), although it is not required that the housings 28, 30 are separable along a plane. For example, the housings 28, 30 can a be separable along a series of non-planar or curved edge segments. The forward housing 28 has a cavity 32 to receive a forward portion 34 of the gun 27, while the rear housing 30 has a cavity 38 to receive a rear portion 40 of the gun 27. Although the gun 27 is illustrated as a rifle, the gun case 10 could also be used to house other types of guns (e.g., shotguns, muzzleloaders, etc.). The cavity 32 is deep enough to house a majority of the gun 27, while the cavity 38 is only deep enough to house the rear portion 40 of the gun 27. A connecting portion 42 integrally formed with the forward housing 28 is defined by indented walls.

[0015] With further reference to FIG. 3, both housings 28, 30 contain foam padding 44 lining their respective cavities 32, 38. The foam padding 44 helps to absorb any shock or impact imparted to the gun 27 by the outside environment. The foam padding 44 is also covered with a tear-resistant fabric 46 so that the gun 27 may be inserted and removed with ease and without damaging the fabric 46 or foam padding 44.

[0016] With reference to FIGS. 4-6, the connecting portion 42 includes an integrally-formed tab 48 with a slot 50 near the top of the gun case 10. The rear housing 30 includes a pin 52 sized to fit and move within the slot 50 to allow the rear housing 30 to translate and rotate relative to the forward housing 28. In alternate constructions, the pin 52 and slot 50 may be switched, such that the pin 52 is included in the connecting portion 42 and the slot 50 is included in the rear housing 30. The connecting portion 42 and rear housing 30 include holes 54, 56 near their respective bottoms.

[0017]FIG. 4 shows the gun case 10 in the open position, where the rear housing 30 is being rotated downward. FIG. 5 shows the rear housing 30 rotated into alignment with the forward housing 28 and connecting portion 42 for closing. Finally, FIG. 6 shows the gun case 10 in the closed position after the rear housing 30 is moved forward parallel with the slot 50. As shown, the connecting portion 42 is completely inserted into the cavity 38. The cavity 38 snugly receives the connecting portion 42 to create an interference fit between the rear housing 30 and the connecting portion 42. FIG. 6 also shows the holes 54, 56 in substantial alignment when the housings 28, 30 are in the closed position. A locking device (not shown) may be inserted through the holes 54, 56 to fully secure the rear housing 30 to the forward housing 28. The locking device provides for easy access and safe storage of the gun 27. The locking device could be a quick release fastener, a small padlock, or any other similar device known by those skilled in the art. By using a locking device through the holes 54, 56 in combination with the pivotally-connected rear housing, it is less likely that the gun case 10 will inadvertently open and expose the gun 27 to fall out of the case 10. 

We claim:
 1. A gun case for storing a gun having rear and forward portions, the gun case comprising: a forward housing having rigid side walls generally forming a cavity configured to receive the forward portion; a rear housing having rigid side walls generally forming a cavity configured to receive the rear portion; and a pivotal interconnection structure coupling the forward housing and rear housing for relative rotation between an open position providing access to the cavities and a closed position capable of securing the gun within the gun case.
 2. The gun case of claim 1, wherein the forward and rear housings include foam padding and tear resistant fabric covering the foam padding.
 3. The gun case of claim 1, wherein the walls of the forward housing include an indented step, and wherein the rear housing includes a portion that couples with the indented step of the forward housing.
 4. The gun case of claim 1, wherein the pivotal interconnection structure couples the forward and rear housings for translation and rotation relative to each other.
 5. The gun case of claim 4, wherein the pivotal interconnection structure includes an integrally formed slot in the forward housing, the rear housing coupled to the slot for translation and rotation relative to the forward housing.
 6. The gun case of claim 5, wherein the rear housing includes a pin coupled with the slot to allow translation and rotation of the rear housing relative to the forward housing.
 7. The gun case of claim 1, wherein the forward housing includes a first hole and the rear housing includes a second hole, the holes being substantially aligned when the rear housing and the forward housing are in the closed position.
 8. A gun case for storing a gun having rear and forward portions, the gun case comprising: a main housing having rigid side walls generally forming a cavity configured to receive the forward portion; an end cap having rigid side walls generally forming a cavity configured to receive the rear portion; and a pivotal interconnection structure coupling the main housing and the end cap for relative translation and rotation between an open position providing access to the cavities and a closed position capable of securing the gun within the gun case.
 9. The gun case of claim 8, wherein the pivotal interconnection structure includes an integrally formed slot in one of the main housing and end cap, and wherein the other of the main housing and end cap includes a pin coupled with the slot.
 10. The gun case of claim 9, wherein the slot is formed in the main housing, and wherein the end cap includes the pin coupled to the slot for translation and rotation relative to the main housing.
 11. The gun case of claim 8, wherein the main housing and end cap include foam padding and tear resistant fabric covering the foam padding.
 12. The gun case of claim 8, wherein the main housing includes a first hole and the end cap includes a second hole, the holes being substantially aligned when the end cap and the main housing are in the closed position.
 13. A gun case for storing a gun with rear and forward portions, the gun case comprising: a main housing having rigid side walls generally forming a cavity configured to receive the forward portion, the main housing including a step defining a connecting portion having an integrally formed slot; and an end cap having rigid side walls generally forming a cavity configured to receive the rear portion, the end cap including a pin coupled within the slot such that the end cap rotates and translates relative to the main housing for movement between an open position providing access to the cavities and a closed position capable of securing the gun within the gun case, the end cap including a portion that couples with the connecting portion of the main housing in the closed position.
 14. The gun case of claim 13, wherein the main housing and end cap include foam padding and tear resistant fabric covering the foam padding.
 15. The gun case of claim 13, wherein the main housing includes a first hole and the end cap includes a second hole, the holes being substantially aligned when the end cap and the main housing are in the closed position. 